Health and Safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for Mayfair Man and Van

Mayfair Man and Van is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transportation activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our responsibilities and the arrangements we have in place to manage risks associated with moving, lifting, loading, transportation and related services.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our objectives are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property, and minimise disruption during every removal. We aim to achieve this by identifying and managing risks, ensuring our staff are trained and competent, and maintaining safe systems of work for all aspects of domestic and commercial removals.

We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance and to complying with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Mayfair Man and Van has overall responsibility for health and safety within the company. This includes establishing policy, providing adequate resources, and monitoring performance. Managers will ensure that risk assessments are carried out, safe working procedures are developed, and staff understand their roles and responsibilities.

Management will regularly review this policy to ensure it remains effective, up to date and appropriate for the nature and scale of our removal operations.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Staff are required to follow all safety instructions, use equipment correctly, and cooperate with any measures introduced to protect people and property.

Employees must report accidents, near misses, hazardous situations, damaged equipment or unsafe conditions immediately to their supervisor so that corrective action can be taken. No employee is expected to carry out work that they believe to be unsafe.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We carry out risk assessments for our key activities, including household and office removals, packing, loading and unloading vehicles, handling heavy or awkward items, and operating in stairwells, corridors, driveways and loading areas. These assessments help us identify potential hazards and implement control measures to reduce risk.

Safe systems of work include planning moves in advance, assessing access routes, considering parking and loading arrangements, and allocating sufficient personnel and time for each job. For complex moves or properties with restricted access, a pre-move survey is used to identify any specific risks and agree appropriate controls.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core element of removal work. To minimise the risk of injury, all staff are trained in correct lifting and handling techniques, including team lifting, maintaining good posture, and recognising personal limits. Heavy, bulky or fragile items are handled using appropriate equipment such as trolleys, dollies, removal straps and protective covers.

All handling equipment and tools are inspected regularly and maintained in safe working order. Faulty or damaged equipment is taken out of service until repaired or replaced. Staff must use only the equipment provided and must not improvise with unsafe methods.

Vehicles, Driving and Transport Safety

Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition through regular inspections and servicing. Drivers are required to carry out daily checks on key safety items and report any defects promptly.

Loads are packed and secured to prevent movement during transit, with attention to weight distribution and stability. Drivers must comply with road traffic laws, drive within speed limits, and adjust their driving to weather, traffic and road conditions. Breaks and rest periods are planned to reduce fatigue.

Customer Premises and Public Safety

We take care to protect customers, neighbours, visitors and the general public from risks arising from our work. This includes maintaining clear access routes, using warning signs or barriers where appropriate, and taking extra care when moving items through shared or busy areas.

Flooring, walls, doors and fixtures are protected where necessary to avoid damage and reduce slip or trip hazards. Cables, ramps and equipment are positioned to minimise obstruction, and staff remain alert to the presence of children, pets and vulnerable persons on site.

Training, Supervision and Competence

All employees receive health and safety induction training appropriate to their role, including safe lifting practices, vehicle safety, accident reporting and emergency procedures. Additional training is provided for specialist tasks such as driving larger vehicles or handling high-value or delicate items.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for ensuring that staff follow safe practices and that new or inexperienced workers are adequately supported. Training needs are reviewed regularly and refreshed when necessary.

Accident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, incidents and near misses occurring during our work must be reported as soon as possible. We maintain an accident record and investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement improvements.

Emergency procedures are in place for incidents such as fire, serious injury, vehicle accidents or sudden illness. Staff are instructed on how to raise the alarm, contact emergency services, secure the area, and provide basic assistance within the limits of their training.

Welfare, Health and Wellbeing

We recognise the physical nature of removal work and take steps to protect staff welfare and wellbeing. Access to drinking water, rest breaks and appropriate clothing or protective equipment is provided as necessary for the weather and working conditions.

We encourage open communication about fatigue, stress or health concerns that may affect an employee’s ability to work safely, and we will adjust duties where reasonably practicable to maintain safety.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We monitor our health and safety performance through regular site checks, vehicle inspections, accident and incident reviews, and feedback from employees and customers. Findings are used to update risk assessments, improve procedures and guide further training.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in our operations or relevant legislation. The latest version is made available to all employees and can be provided to customers on request.